What makes up a healthful diet? What promotes optimal health? Nutrition basics are something that everyone should know in order to make informed diet and lifestyle choices. This unit is the first in a series all about nutrition basics. There are over 50 different nutrients that we need, and they are divided into classes of nutrients. For example, macronutrients are a class that include protein, carbohydrates, and fats, while vitamins and minerals are part of the micronutrient class.

In this first unit on nutrition basics, Dr. Applegate takes a deep dive into protein. Protein is made up of amino acids and it’s important to understand what essential amino acids are and why we need them. The videos cover how protein sources differ and what makes for a high-quality protein. Dr. Applegate also discusses how to calculate your protein Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), factors that may impact your protein needs, and how to read food labels to determine the Daily Value of protein it provides.

Get Started Now!

Your Instructor

Dr. Liz Applegate
NeoLife Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)

Dr. Applegate earned her B.S. in Biochemistry, and her Ph.D., in Nutrition Science both at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Applegate is a faculty member Emerita of the Nutrition Department, and the former Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Applegate held a position on the editorial board of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism for the past 29 years. She is also a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, and a member of the Sports and Cardiovascular Nutritionists, a practice group of the American Dietetic Association.

Dr. Applegate is a nationally renowned expert on nutrition and fitness, she is a Distinguished Senior Lecturer Emerita at the University of California, Davis where she continues to educate students on the importance of good nutrition and fitness through online access. Dr. Applegate provided nutrition consultation for collegiate and continues advising fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes as well as food companies, and frequently serves as a keynote speaker at industry, athletic and scientific meetings.

Her passion and enthusiasm for educating people on nutrition, fitness and health has been acknowledged by numerous awards for teaching, research and most recently California Legislature State Resolution 2019 for her service to the state and teaching over 66,000 students in her career. Dr. Applegate is the author of several books and has written more than 400 articles for national magazines. She has regularly appeared on international, national and local radio and television shows, and is frequently quoted in magazines and newspapers.

Liz Applegate, Ph.D., Nutrition, Sports Nutritionist